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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: leaves · fine · bear · deal · saw · safe · coach · rush

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. bear — the animal
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. rush — hurry
  8. bear — the animal
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. deal — to handle
  12. fine — all right
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. saw — the tool
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. saw — the tool
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. fine — high quality
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. deal — a big deal

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com